Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3126, John Duncan, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
96
Duncan, John Lydia
R 3126
CONTENTS

Wills. 19.920.
John Duncan
Duplicate issued 1. Oct. 32
who was in the State of Ill. who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Johnson of the Regt commanded by _____ in the Virginia line for 6. mos 45 days.
21. \frac{66}{100}
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 21. Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Sept. 1833 and sent to N.B. Sister. Frankfort, Ill.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 - 54.15. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar '34. 10.83
$ 64.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. J. P. Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 8 Page 56.

State of Illinois, March Term of the county Franklin County ss. commissioners court of the county and State aforesaid A.D. 1833.
On this 5 th day of March in the year of our Lord 1833. personally appeared in open court before the commissioners being judges of the said court in and for the county of Franklin and State of Illinois now sitting - John Duncan a resident of said county and State of Illinois aged about seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He was born in Culpeper County State of Virginia, to the best of his recollection, about 1763. there was no record of his age, but his father having been killed by the Indians in 1772. or 3. his sister took the bible containing the record of his age, which has been des- troyed. His father moved to Washington County on the frontier of Virginia in 1771. or 2. and was killed in about twelve months after, by the Indians. He states that the whole neighbourhood were fortified up at Duncan's fort, his father's residence, and after his father was killed. They employed one James Green, to spy out two or 3 times a week, ten or 15 miles round the fort, that as he left the fort on one of those excursions, he had not proceeded more than a mile, until he was fired at by the Indians, & re- turned immediately. When collecting a force, and himself among the rest, they pursued the Indians some distance, until they scattered so, that they

could trace them no further, when they returned without effecting any thing. His mother moved again & moved to Kentucky, some time in the year 1780. Just before the Battle of the Blue Lick, where Cols. Lodd. Ingg- and Daniel Boone's second son were killed. He states he was ordered to the Blue Lick, but being tired & just off a long journey, in moving, he did not go But was immediately ordered out, to guard the forts, in which service he was employed two months He had no officer, but was employed as a spy in guarding & protecting the forts, mostly English station He then moved to Tennessee about two years after & shortly after went back to Kentucky, and and joined Genl Clark's expedition, against the Indians, as a substitute, for William Harneyfield He marched from the Falls of Ohio, where he joined the expedition to Fort Vincent, now Vincennes, They found the fort occupied by French & 30 or 40 Indians and took the Indians prisoners. He then returned home, and was again employed in a tour of two months service, as a spy and guard, on Red River in Tennessee, in which service, he had no skirmish or rencontre, with the Indians. He volunteered again the year he does not now recollect, under Capt John Raines, in an expedition, undertaken by him & Capt Thomas Johnson against the Indians. They raised 80 or 90 men, & marched down Elk river for some distance, crossed over, and were about

encampment. when they discovered. Indian sign They camped however on Duck river that night and next morning. it being thought advisable he with 8 or 9 others volunteered as spies; while creeping through the thickets. they came upon the Indian encampment. and one of the spies fired on. & killed one of the Indians the forces coming up. & the Indians being dis- persed. they returned home. He was again ordered out for two months as a spy. near Pal- myra on Cumberland River; he served 40 days when returning home to look after his family he hired his brother. to serve the remaining 20 days. Subsequently again he was ordered out in a light horse company. to Nashville in Tennessee & there go in pursuit of the Indians under the command of Col. Robert Hays. under an apprehension from the report of one Duroe R. and a half breed. that the Indians intended attacking & taking Nashville. but the Indians not making the attack at that time. Genl Robinson. ordered the men to return home. but to be ready at a minutes warning: a few nights after. he re- ceived a summons. to repair immediately to Nashville, & started next morning. but when he arrived the Indians were gone. They however had attacked Buchanan's station on Mill Creek. near Nashville

The Indians were about 6. or 700 strong: the Station about 30. The Indians approached in the evening & demanded who commanded the fort. & upon being told demanded the gates to be opened. & upon refusal - commenced firing - they fought all night but no lives were lost in the fort. One Indian rushed up with a torch to fire the fort. & was killed: the only one the whites found: though they thought from the sign they killed a great many more. The Indians were commanded by Double heads. He was again employed in an expedition down Cumberland River. for the purpose of burying Col Montgomery and Evan Shelby who had been killed by the Indians. nothing transpiring worthy of note. He was again ordered down to the mouth of Cumberland to guard up some boats. and in performing this service nothing occurred worthy of note. At another time the Indians came into his neighbourhood. killed a young lady. & took some horses. he with others immediately pursued. but were unable to overtake them. on account of high water. He was engaged in many more similar expeditions and in little service for many years. always being prompt and ready. at his country's call. living in a country. in a constant state of alarm. and liable to be called on at any moment

Hee never was regularly mustered into or out of service. Hee never was discharged. regularly He received some little pay. but does not now recollect how much. Hee is unacquainted with the names of any Regular. or Continental officers or Companies. nor ever served with any, unless some of the above named may be termed such. Hee never was regularly enrolled in any Company. or corps. unless it might be Genl Clark's or Col. Heaps. Hee belonged to none. at home Hee has no documentary evidence of his services: he knows of no living witness who can testify personally as to his services or as to the events of the Period. & the history he has related But Col Thomas M. Dorr & Dempsey Odum citizens & his neighbours can testify as to the tradition of his services. and the events of the Period. and also to the general belief of his services in the neighbourhood Hee hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a Pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid John his mark Duncan
We Dempsey Odum a clergyman residing in the county of Franklin and Thomas M. Dorr residing in the same. do certify that we are well acquainted with John Duncan, who has subscribed and sworn to the

above declarations. That we believe him to be seventy years of age. That he is reputed and be- lieved, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier during the time of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Dorsey Adams Thos. M. Davis
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a soldier during the time of the revolution and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Dempsey Adams who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the county of Franklin and State of Illinois and that Thos. M. Davis who has also signed the same is a resident of the same county & State and Mr. credible persons, and that their state- ment is entitled to credit.
I G. M. Hubbard Clerk of the county com- missioners court in and for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the or- iginal proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of John Duncan for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said court this 5 th day of March A.D. 1833.
S. W. G. Gubana Clk

24.431 1992.
John Duncan Franklin 6" HW
Return
Adm 6. Months 8 15 days.
 20. —  1. bb   $ 21. bb.  e   45. 52  10. 83   57. 15 
Walter B Scates Frankfurt HW HW

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
29 th April - 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subj d notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Duncan
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Substitute - 2 1 st Ky not officer - 70 years Tractation of a Bluesman   Period of service not correctly stated 2 " Capt Bruns Capt Johnston Colt Mays  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
1 2 21 1  1 15 2 1 1

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Frankfort Ills
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Sir According to your instructions, as I understood them, I have amended Mr Duncan's Declaration. In your polite favour of the 4 th inst enclosed to me with the Declaration and accompanying brief you state. "This case is accompanied by a brief. The objections are contained in the negative answers, in red ink, given to the questions" In looking over the brief & declaration. I perceive no negative answers in red ink to which you refer. Probably you may have omitted to send me the negative answers so marked. You also refer in this printed letter to marginal braces. There appears to be a brace in the margin opposite the last note (letter m) by which, possibly, you intend that the answers to the interrogatories, should be written out and sent over with this amendment
But, as by the regulations of the Department, immediately following the last interrogatory, the Court is required, to see that these answers are embodied in the Declaration; and as these answers are seen to be substantially set out in this Declaration, I thought that you could not have intended them to be set out again in the amendment, or affidavit. If I have misunderstood your instructions, in amending, instead of making a new declaration, or in any of the amendments; or in relation to the interrogatories: — Please be so good as return the papers, and I will draw up a new Declaration, in compliance with your instructions
23 rd May 1833
I am respectfully Your obed Servt
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Walter B. Scates,

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.
State of Illinois, set
Williamson County,
On this 7 th day of August September.
one thousand eight hundred and forty one
personally appeared before the County Commission Court of Williamson County Lydia Duncan
Resident of the State of Illinois and County of Williamson afore said aged about Seventy years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows that she is the widow of John Duncan deceased who was a private in the Army of the Revolution war and that he is the identical person named in a Certificate her with enclosed signed by Lewis Cass then Secretary of war and Examined and counter signed by J L Edwards Commissioner of pensions which Certificate bears date the first day of November 1833

and that she has no other proof as to the time he entered the service there is to be found on the Records of the Department to which she therefore craves leave to Refer she further declares that she has no family Record to Refer to having had her house burned and the Record in it many years ago that she was married to the said John Duncan after he left the service of the united states but previous to the first day of January - 1874 that is to say on the 10 th day of March One thousand Seven hundred & Eightysix in Roberson County State of Tennessee by John Grammar a Clergyman and that she has never been married to any other person but the one above mentioned She further declares that she does not know how to get the Record of her marriage from Tennessee for they were married by a Clergy man publishing the Banes of matrimony without Licens, as is in this state She further declares that her late Husband John Duncan died on the 31 st day of Decem One thousand eight hundred and thirtyfour in the County of Franklin and State of Illinois but since his death the County of Franklin has been divided in to Franklin and Williamson Counties in which latter County she now Resides

and further this Defendant saith not Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me } J. J. her Lydia Duncan Mar 12 Thomas D. Davis clk
State of Illinois Williamson County Set
This day personally appeared in open court before the County Commissioners Court in and for the County of Williamson and State of Illinois William Spiller Senior aged Seventytwo years who is a Resident of Williamson and State of Illinois and who being first sworn according to Law doth upon his oath state that he is well ac- quainted with Lydia Duncan who subscribed the above declaration and do positively know her to be the widow of John Duncan Deceased who was a private in the army of the Revolution and drew a pension a fact that the said Lydia Duncan was lawfully married to the said John Duncan in his presence in the year 1786

in Robeson County in the State of Tennessee and that the sd Lydia Duncan has never been married since the death of her aforesaid husband he further declares that the said Lydia Duncan has been a Resident of William County formerly Franklin County upwards of Twenty years and the Deponent further states that the sd Lydia Duncan is about seventy years of age and is very feeble and infirm and that the afore- said John Duncan died to the best of his belief in the year 1834 in Franklin County but now is Williamson County Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 7 th day of September 1841 } W m Spiller Attest Thomas D. Davis clk.
State of Illinois } Set Williamson County } I Thomas D Davis Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Williamson County and State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Lydia Duncan and the affidavit of William Spiller Senior are the true and original proceedings before said Court.

in the matter of the application of Lydia Duncan for a pension
I also certify that William Spiller Senior is a man of known Respectability and has Resided where he now Resides for upwards of Twenty years
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal there being no public seal of office provided for the County Court at Marion
This 7 th day September 1841
Thomas D. Davis clk  c.c.c.  wb
State of Illinois Williamson County 5 set.
We J. F. Duncan, Joab Goodall and John N. Calvert, County Commissioners of Williamson County do hereby certify that Thomas D. Davis whose name is subscribed to the above Certificate is and was at the time of signing the same Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Williamson County and J. F. Duncan as such full faith and right ought to be witnessed our hands
Joab Goodall John N. Calvert
Commissioners

1 Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.
State of Illinois, Set
Williamson County, ss
On this 7 th day of August September.
one thousand eight hundred and forty one
personally appeared before the County Commission Court of Williamson County Lydia Duncan
Resident of the State of Illinois and County of Williamson aforesaid aged about Seventy years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows that she is the widow of John Duncan deceased who was a private in the Army of the Revolution war and that he is the identical person named in a Certificate here with enclosed signed by Lewis Cass then Secretary of war and Examined and countersigned by J L Edwards Commissioner of pensions which Certificate bears date the first day of November 1833

and that she has no other proof as to the time he entered the service there is to be found on the Records of the Department to which she therefore craves leave to refer she further declares that she has no family Record to refer to having had her house burned and the Record in it many years ago that she was married to the said John Duncan after he left the service of the united states but previous to the first day of January - 1884 that is to say on the 10 th day of March One thousand Seven hundred & Eightysix in Roberson County State of Tennessee by John Grammer a Clergyman and that she has never been married to any other person but the one above mentioned she further declares that she does not know how to get the Record of her marriage from Tennessee for they were married by a Clergy man publishing the Banns of matrimony without Pisons, as is in this day she further declares that her S d Husband John Duncan died on the 31 st day of Dec r One thousand eight hundred and thirtyfour in the County of Franklin and State of Illinois but since his death the County of Franklin has been divided in to Franklin and Williamson Counties in which latter County she now resides

and further this Deponent saith not Given to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me } J. her Lydia Duncan mark 12 Thomas D. Davis clk
State of Illinois Williamson County Set
This day personally appeared in open court before the County Commissioners Court in and for the County of Williamson and State of Illinois William Spiller Senior aged Seventytwo years who is a resident of Williamson and State of Illinois and who being first sworn according to law doth upon his oath state that he is well acquaint- ed with Lydia Duncan who subscribed the above declaration and do positively know her to be the widow of John Duncan deceased who was a private in the army of the Revolution and drew a pension a fact that the said Lydia Duncan was also lawfully married to the said John Duncan in his presence in the year 1786

4  in Robeson County in the State of Tennessee and that the sd Lydia Duncan has never been married since the death of her aforesaid husband He further declares that the said Lydia Duncan has been a Resident of William County formerly Franklin County upwards of Twenty years and the Deponent further states that the sd Lydia Duncan is about seventy years of age and is very feeble and infirm and that the afore- said John Duncan died to the best of his belief in the year 1834 in Franklin County but now is Williamson County Sworn to and subscribed in open Court This 7 th day September 1841 } W m Spiller Attest } Thomas D. Davis Clk.
State of Illinois } Williamson County } Set I Thomas D Davis Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Williamson County and State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Lydia Duncan and the affidavit of William Spiller Senior are the true and original proceedings before said Court.

in the matter of the application of Lydia Duncan for a pension
I also certify that William Spiller Senior is a man of known Respectability and has Resided where he now Resides for upwards of Twenty years
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Private Seal there being no public seal of office provided for said County some at Marion
This 7 th day September 1841
Thomas D. Davis clk c.c.c. wb
State of Illinois Williamson County 5 set.
We F. F. Duncan Joab Goodall and John N. Calvert County Commissioners of Williamson County do hereby certify that Thomas D. Davis whose name is subscribed to the above Certificate is and was at the time of signing the same Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Williamson County and F. F. Duncan as such full faith and right ought to be witness our hands
Joab Goodall John N. Calvert
Commissioners

State of Illinois Williamson County 3
vs
appeared J. F. Duncan a County Commis- sioner of Williamson County and State of Illinois before Court and after being sworn his testimony according to Law between him and the State that he is well acquainted with Lydia Duncan and that he has her told he is the widow of John Duncan Deceased who was a private in the Army of the Revolution of the United States and further he states that the deceased has been deceased since the death of the Col. John Duncan he further states that according to the act of Congress passed July 17th 1818 that she is entitled to one hundred and fifty dollars per month that she is entitled to one hundred and fifty dollars per month and that she is entitled to one hundred and fifty dollars per month This the 10th day of September
1841 Sworn to and Subscribed before me
J. F. Duncan
Notary Public Thomas D. Davis

Williamson County Ills
Claim of Lydia Duncan Revolutionary Pension
Power of Attorney from Thomas Duncan one of the heirs
Revolutionary
Act 7. July 1838.
Lydia Duncan, Widow of John.
Illinois. — Rejected.
Power of Attorney to examine papers.
Chas. G. Tucker, Atty.
3. Aug. 53. Present.

I know all men by these presents That I Thomas Duncan of the County of Williamson and State of Illinois. do hereby constitute and appoint Charles C Tucker. of Washington City DC. my true and lawful agent and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of Lydia Duncan widow of John Duncan for any amount of Revolution ary Pension or increase of pension that may be due under the provisions of the act of the 3 d February AD 1853 or any other Act or Resolu- tion of Congress. and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers and docu- ments in relation to said Claim on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere to file additional papers evidence or arguments and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim. and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purpose herein expressed. and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said At- torney may lawfully do in the premises.
Witness my hand and seal this 20 th day of July AD 1854 Signed in presence of us Thomas Duncan Seal John T. London
State of Illinois Williamson County } ss
On this 20 th day of July AD 1854 before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State above mentioned personally appeared Thomas Duncan and acknowledged

the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned
Given under my hand and seal the day and year above written
Joel Norris Seal
State of Illinois } Williamson County }
On this 20 th day of July A D 1854 before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Thomas Duncan a resident of said County and made oath according to law that he is the identical Thomas Duncan who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said Claim and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or argu- ments as my said Attorney may use in prosecu- ting said Claim
Sworn to and subscribed by Thomas J. Duncan before me the day and year above written
Joel Norris J.P.
State of Illinois } Williamson County }
I John H. White Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Joel Norris Esq r before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made and who has thereunto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace

in and for the County and State aforesaid duly Commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and Credit
In testimony whereof I have here unto signed my name and affixed the seal of said County Court at office in Marion this 20 th day of July A.D. 1854
John H. White { Clerk Co { Court M.C.

May 11, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nora L. Cogdall Lisbon Iowa
JOHN DUNCAN R. 3126 BA-J/MLB Am
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you requested the record of John Duncan who served in the Revolutionary War and moved from Kentucky to Illinois. You state that he had a number of daughters, one of whom was your great-grandmother, Arminda Duncan, who married Fredeline Lutsinger.
You are furnished herein the record of the only John Duncan found in the Revolutionary War records of this office, in whose claim for pension it is shown that he lived at one time in Kentucky and moved from there to the State of Illinois. His record follows as found in the papers on file in pension claim, R. 3126, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Duncan was born about 1763 in Culpeper County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. His father moved in 1771 or 1772 to Washington County, on the frontier of Virginia, where his residence was called Duncan's Fort, and was killed by the Indians about twelve months after moving to that place. His mother married again and moved to Kentucky sometime in the year 1780, the name of her second husband not given.
John Duncan enlisted in 1779, place not stated, and served at various times as private, spy and guard, until many years after the Revolutionary War, probably one year in all; he served under Captain Price and Colonel Barnett in General Clark's Expedition to Post Vincent (later called Vincennes), and under Captains John Rains, Benjamin McIntosh and Colonel Robert Hays, in expeditions on the Red River in Tennessee, near Palmyra on the Cumberland River, also many other short tours in the Indian warfare.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed March 5, 1833, while a resident of Franklin County, Illinois. He died December 31, 1834, in that part of Franklin County which was later Williamson County, Illinois.

John Duncan married March 10, 1786, in Robertson County, Tennessee, Lydia ___, whose maiden name and date and place of birth were not given, nor were the names of her parents shown. She had not been previously married, and no reference was made to any other marriage by him.
In 1841, soldier's widow, Lydia Duncan, was aged seventy years and a resident of Williamson County, Illinois, where she had lived "upwards of twenty years".
In 1841, one Frederick F. Duncan was a county commissioner of Williamson County, Illinois, with post office at Marion in that county; his relationship to soldier's family not stated.
In 1854, one Thomas J. Duncan, one of soldier's heirs, was living in Williamson County, Illinois, his exact relationship to John Duncan, the soldier, not shown. It is not stated whether John Duncan and his wife, Lydia, had children.
Reference was made in the claim to John Duncan's brother and sister, but their names and places of residence were not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Illinois 19.920.
John Duncan!
Franklin in the State of Illis who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Thuston of the Bgt commanded by _____ in the Virginia line for 6 mo. & 15 days.
3126
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 21. Dollars 66. Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of Nov r 1833 and sent to W.P. Leesburg. Frankfort. Ills.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 - 54.15 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 34. 10.83
$64.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Palmer Clerk,
Book 8 Vol. 8 Page 56.
3126 Reg 9

Repeated by a Special ball 5 th above miler - 1888.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
3/26
P. O.
Lydia Duncan
Service:
widow of John
Enlisted: Printed Sep 1852  Printed Rejected Claims shows cause Discharged: of rejection of Widow's Claim "not 6 mos. service"
Application filed: _____, 18__
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18__

  1933 Oct. 19-  Stict. to  Mrs. John B. Moyer -  MLB    1935 Oct. 9-  " "  Clyde H. Hunter -  MLB    1936 Oct. 8-  " "  B. J. Walter -  MLB    1938 Sept. 27-  " "  Job H. Duncan -  MLB    1939 May 11-  " "  Maria L. Cogdall -  MLB  

Lydia Duncan of John Illinois
Rejected
See let 1 Oct 41 to J. H. Duncan " H. H. Sylvester, Oct. 26. 41
husband did not serve six months during the revol. war
3126
Act 7 July 1838

See - Fond du Lac
D.C. - ditto
Clwr - says did of "Injury."
Married - Dr. H - Clegg - Proo. by test. audible  last !
Ev. children
Wants
Ev. death - 9-
"Mar (add.) diff. off. Clegg. or etc. and the end. not present thru  all

Sec. 1. Amended

State of Illinois Franklin County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in & for the county and State aforesaid. John Duncan who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:— For one month under Capt Price in the expedition under Genl Clark to post Vincent new Vincennes in the year 1778 — Barnett was then Colonel. I served as a private (substitute for William Mannysfield) For two months as a spy & guard on Red River in Tennessee. I had no officer, nor was I with any corps. For fifteen days, under Capt John Rainis I served as a private in or for up days, as a spy near Palmyra on Cumberland River in the year 1782 . I had no officer, nor was I with any corps. For two months under Col Roys (the Capt's name I do not recollect) at the time Buchanan's station near Nashville, was attacked, in the year 1782 I served as a private. For one month under Capt Benjamin McIntosh, in the expedition down Cumberland River to bury Col Montgomery & Evan Shelby. I served as a private. For one month under Capt Benjamin McIntosh, in the expedition down Cumberland River, to guard up the boats. in the year 1782 I served as a private. And for such service I claim a Pension John his Duncan mark
Sworn to & subscribed to before me such Justice as aforesaid. This 23 rd day of May 1833 Thos. M. Harris
J.P. Seal

State of Illinois Franklin County Set I Simon M. Hubbard a clerk of the Court of County Commissioners for said county & state aforesaid Do hereby certify that Thomas M. Morris whose signature is affixed to the preceding attestation is a duly commissioned qualified and acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said county and state aforesaid and that his said signature is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said office at Frankfort This 23 rd day of May A.D. 1833
Simon Hubbard Clerk

Frankfort Ill 19th Oct.
Three papers not yet handed to me.
Hon. Lewis Cab Secretary of War Washington City
Pension Bureau

Frankfort Ill 19 th Oct.
Have you not yet handed to me
Hon. Lewis C. C Secretary of War Washington City
Pension Bureau

Frankfort Illinois
Dr Sir Enclosed I send you a certificate of a pension purporting to be allowed to Joseph Duncan of this county. (i.e. Franklin) There is clearly a mistake in the given name of Mr Duncan: his name being John , instead of Joseph . There was but one man by the name of Duncan applied from this county this name was John: being the person whose business was entrusted to my care. You will perceive the mistake by reference to the declaration and papers of Mr Duncan in the Secretary's office. I have no hesitation in believing that you intended allowing the Pension to John Duncan. whose papers you have on file If I knew any man by the name of Joseph Duncan who had applied for a pension. I would hand over the Certificate to him: but knowing of none, I herewith enclose it to you for correction I am Sir with sentiments of respect- Your most Oct 18 th 1833 Obt Servt Walter B. Seates

No 8022 Sept 27 1841
Illinois
July 7 1838
Lydia Duncan
hope at
Frank J. O'Leary Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Mrs. and Miss Lydia Duncan Sept 27 1841

No 88022 - Sept 27 1841
Illinois
July 7 1838
Lydia Duncanson
hopkins
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Marian [initials] 7 Sept [initials]
Trick
Paid
75 -

Alton Illinois Williamson County { Mr J L Edwards Esq. Commissioner of -
- Pensioners
Sir I Enclose within the Declaration of Lydia Duncan and send to you for the Inspection of the department in the matter of a pension I also Enclose the Certificate of of John Duncan Deed If the Declaration is found to be correct I will Expect you to send me Lydia Duncan a pension Certificate If not please send me a Letter stating the defect.
Your most obedient Servt J. F. Duncan

June Rec.
21431
The Hon. The Secretary of War
Washington City
Pension Bureau

Free Spec.
21431
The Hon The Secretary of War
Washington City
Pension Bureau

Frankfort Ky March 5th 1833
Hon Lewis Cass Sir by reference to the act of the General Assembly of the state of Ills approved March (Revised Laws 1829 page 33) you will see that the County Commissioners court is a court of Record with a Clerk and seal
You will please give the result of your decision on this application at the Post office in this place, as soon as made Directed to Myself or Mr Duncan
Your humble Obt Servt Walter B. Beates Hon L. Cass Secretary of War

Payments to be made at Carmi by Daniel Hay, Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Illinois.
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E. Vol. 8 Page 56. by Wm. R. Palmer. Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Joseph Duncan of the state of Illinois , who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution .
is entitled to receive Twenty one dollars and Sixty six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 25 th day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three .
Genl. P. P.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Law House
July 20 44
Mr. Duncan.
Dr
Barnesville July 19 th
H. H. Sylvester Esq. Washington City

Carnegie July 19 th
25-
Mr. Bureau.
Dear Sir, July 20 th
H. H. Sylvester Esqr Washington City

A Declaration for Mrs Duncan Widow of John Duncan was sent to the Pension Office a few years ago by Frederick Duncan Esq. of Franklin County in this State. The Pension was not allowed, he says, on account of John Duncan her husband, having misstated by 2 years the date of the Battle of the Blue Licks
M c Duncan says, if by a reexamination of the case you can have the pension allowed, you can make your own charge
Did you get my letter from Washington last Feb. in the case of Mrs Scudder How far is the department behind with their business. I have had one case there 18 months, not yet acted on I can't say that I am very patient your friend Daniel H.

Lydia Duncan No 8022 of John - Illinois.

Payments to be made at Galesburg . by Samuel Hays . Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agency of Illinois .
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice Book E. Vol. 8 Page 10  Wm. Palmer . Clerk.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Duncan of the State of Illinois, who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty-one dollars and sixty-six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this First day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
Witness in lieu of a certificate dated 25 th of September 1833, which has been cancelled.
J. D. Cooper Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. S. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Aug 16 44
Mrs Duncan Miss
Col Edwards Bonnin Pension,
S
H. H. Lyman

Sir At some convenient time, I sh d be pleased with a permission to see Mr. Duncans papers
H. H. Sykes Aug 15 1844
Dr Edward

J. H. Duncan
Oct 1, 41
OC

9.- Pen: Office, Oct. 1, 1841
Sir,
The papers in the case of Mrs Lydia Duncan widow of John Duncan, decd., have been examined, and Upon referring to her husband's declaration under act of 7 June 1832, it is found that his alleged service was principally after the termination of the revolutionary war and was of that character not provided for by the act of 7 June 1832. Had the Dept. been in possession of the information which it now has, the claim under that act would not have been allowed. The first alleged service  of two months service, is alleged to have been performed in 1780, about the time of the battle of the Blue Licks, in Kentucky, and in two years thereafter he again performed a term of service. The battle of the Blue Licks, took place in 1782, consequently the other alleged service was after the termination of the revolution.

tronal war, and no provision is made by the pension laws for such service. The claimant is consequently not entitled to a pension.
Mr. F. F. Duncan, Marian, Ill.
O. C. 80 22 1/2 at 38

C. L. Edwards Esq. Pension Office

Frankfort Ills July 29 th 1833
J D Edwands Esqr -
Sir I herewith return the claim of John Bruneau with the amendments as per your last instructions - You required the year and if possible the month in which the applicant served.
From his age and consequent loss of memory he is unable to state positively as to the precise time of his service but thinks to the best of his recollection that it was performed in the years mentioned in (interlined) the amended declaration - If the declaration together with the amendment is not sufficient to authorise a favourable decision by the department in regard to his claim, he is apprehensive that he will not succeed under the act of -33.
I am Sir Very Respectfully Your obt servt Martin, W. Lorriss
J D Edwands Esqr

Sir
564 Sen off Oct 26. 44
The claim of Lydia Duncan has been disallowed on the ground that her husband did not serve as much as six months within the Revo y war. He claimed for three tours as Indian spy which he estimated at 6 mos. 15 days and one of those tours was after the Revo y war as is shown by his own statement. The letter in-formation of the Dep t acquired since his claim was adjusted would shew that he has confounded in all the service claimed, the duties of vigilance & spying with the organized service under the laws of the State which entitled him to Soldiers pay then & to a pension now
H. H. Sylvester Esq Present

National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
MRS. RUSSELL WILLIAM MAGNA, PRESIDENT GENERAL
GENEALOGICAL RECORDS COMMITTEE
MRS. DONALD K. MOORE, CHAIRMAN
25 S. BROAD STREET
HILLSDALE, MICHIGAN
11 October 1933
VICE-CHAIRMAN
MRS. JOHN B. MOYER 3430 KROMER AVENUE EVERETT, WASHINGTON
Veteran's Administration, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
Will you kindly furnish me with an abstract of the pension papers of John Duncan who served in a Virginia regiment during the Revolutionary War? He received a grant of land (640 acres) on Spencer Creek in North Carolina, May 17, 1784, for military service. He received a pension while living in Illinois. All family data, available, desired.
I also desire information regarding a pensioner of the Revolutionary War, surname, Freeman (Christian name unknown) whose widow, Nancy Freeman , lived in Nelson and Washington Counties, Kentucky.
Thanking you, I am
Very truly yours,
(Mrs. John B.) Julia M. Moyer

GRAY, HUNTER, STENN & COMPANY
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
118½ NORTH FIFTH STREET
QUINCY, ILL.
TELEPHONE 304
PHILIP H. GRAY, C. P. A. CLYDE H. HUNTER, C. P. A. HARRY M. STENN, C. P. A. RUSSELL C. SWOPE, C. P. A.
CHICAGO, ILL. QUINCY, ILL. MARION, ILL.
October 1, 1935.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I would be greatly obliged to have the complete record on John Duncan , who served in the Revolutionary War, from Virginia. I understand he is listed in the Illinois papers D-55, War. 4, 155, 167; Auditors Account 1778-83.
Thanking you, I am
Very truly yours,
Clyde H. Hunter
CHH/L

AMERICAN LEGION, Wabash Post No. 423
MT. CARMEL, ILLINOIS
B. J. WALTER, DEPT. OF MILITARY RECORDS AND GRAVES REGISTRATION
March 12th, 1936.
The Veterans Administration, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
307 311-22 kindly furnish pension record and any other information available of a one John Duncan who served from Virginia during the war of the Revolution.
This soldier received pension while residing in Clinton County, Illinois where he died about 1842.
This information will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
B. J. Walter B. J. Walter, Dept. Military Records and Graves Registration, American Legion, Wabash Post #423.

MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCE EAST LANSING
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLICATIONS
one means disc not identified August 19, 1938
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Re: Revolutionary War Veterans
Gentlemen:
Will you please advise me the procedure by which I may obtain information from your office on the Revolutionary War service of John Duncan, Jr. and John Duncan Captain John Duncan Sr. who served during the war from Virginia.
I am not sure of the county from which they came, but I feel certain that it was one of the western group. I do know for a certainty that John Duncan, Jr. was granted land in Indiana in Nov. 18, 1817 for his War services. This land patent was #4359 and was in Lawrence County, Ind. John Duncan, Jr. was taken prisoner at Martins Station, Ky. and taken to Canada by the British under Captain Bird. Learning that he would be forced to fight his against his country, Duncan made good his escape from Canada and rejoined General Washington's New York headquarters. see my old book
Can you check these data? I thank you for your courtesy.
Very truly yours,
Joseph G. Duncan Joseph G. Duncan, Ass't. Bulletin Editor

Lisbon, Iowa March 17, 1939.
Veterans Administration Washington N. C. Dear Sir.
I am making an effort to learn if my great-great grandfather served in the Revolutionary War.
His name was John Duncan , and he came from Kentucky to Salisbury, Ills.
Could you give me any information by looking through the pension records of Revolutionary soldiers.
So many of my relatives are gone, that I can not make much headway.
He had a number of daughters, one of them being my great-grandmother, Arminda Duncan married Fredeline Lutsinger.
Yours truly, Nora L. Cogdall Lisbon, Iowa.

October 25, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
JOHN DUNCAN R. 3126 BA-J/MLB
Mrs. John B. Moyer 3430 Kromer Avenue Everett, Washington
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of October 11, in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Duncan, who served in a Virginia regiment and was pensioned while living in Illinois, also the Revolutionary War record of a pensioner with surname Freeman (whose Christian name you do not know) and whose widow, Nancy Freeman, lived in Nelson and Washington Counties, Kentucky.
In order to identify the Revolutionary War record of the particular soldier with surname Freeman in whom you are interested, should it be on file, in addition to the full name of the soldier and your statement that his widow, Nancy Freeman, lived in Nelson and Washington Counties, Kentucky, as much as possible of the following data in regard to the soldier should be furnished: approximate dates of birth and death, also places of residence at enlistment and after service.
You are furnished below the history of John Duncan as found in pension claim, R. 3126, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Duncan was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, about 1763; the names of his parents are not stated. His father moved in 1771 or 1772 to Washington County, on the frontier of Virginia, where his residence was called Duncan's Fort, and was killed by the Indians about twelve months after moving to that place. His mother married again and moved to Kentucky sometime in the year 1780, the name of her second husband not given.

John Duncan enlisted in 1779, place not stated, and served at various times as private, spy and guard, until many years after the Revolutionary War, probably one year in all; he served under Captain Price and Colonel Barnett in General Clark's expedition to Post Vincent (later called Vincennes), and under Captains John Rains, Benjamin McIntosh and Colonel Robert Hays, in expeditions on the Red River in Tennessee, near Palmyra on the Cumberland River, and on two other expeditions down the Cumberland River, also, many other short tours in the Indian warfare.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed March 5, 1833, while a resident of Franklin County, Illinois.
He died December 31, 1834, in that part of Franklin County (which was later Williamson County), Illinois.
John Duncan married March 10, 1786, in Robertson County, Tennessee, Lydia, whose maiden name was not give and who had not been previously married.
In 1841, soldier's widow, Lydia, was aged seventy years and living in Williamson County, Illinois, where she had resided "upwards of twenty years".
In 1841, one Frederick F. Duncan was a county commissioner of Williamson County, Illinois, with post office at Marion in that county, his relationship to the family not shown.
In 1854, one Thomas J. Duncan, one of the soldier's heirs, was living in Williamson County, Illinois, his exact relationship to the soldier not stated.
Reference was made to soldier's brother and sister but their names and places of residence were not given.
Your citation in regard to the land granted John Duncan does not pertain to the records of this office; the land may have been granted by the state from which the soldier served.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

October 9, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Clyde H. Hunter C/o Gray, Hunter, Stenn Company P. O. Box 297 Quincy, Illinois
JOHN DUNCAN R. 3126 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Duncan who served from Virginia and later listed in Illinois.
You are furnished herein the record of John Duncan as found in the papers on file in pension claim, R. 3126, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Duncan was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, about 1763; the names of his parents are not stated. His father moved in 1771 or 1772 to Washington County, on the frontier of Virginia, where his residence was called Duncan's Fort, and was killed by the Indians about twelve months after moving to that place. His mother married again and moved to Kentucky sometime in the year 1780, the name of her second husband not given.
John Duncan enlisted in 1779, place not stated, and served at various times as private, spy and guard, until many years after the Revolutionary War, probably one year in all; he served under Captain Price and Colonel Barnett in General Clark's expedition to Post Vincent (later called Vincennes), and under Captains John Rains, Benjamin McIntosh and Colonel Robert Hays, in expeditions on the Red River in Tennessee, near Palmyra on the Cumberland River, and on two other expeditions down the Cumberland River, also, many other short tours in the Indian warfare.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed March 5, 1833, while a resident of Franklin County, Illinois.
He died December 31, 1834, in that part of Franklin County, which was later Williamson County, Illinois.

John Duncan married March 10, 1786, in Robertson County, Tennessee, Lydia, whose maiden name was not given and who had not been previously married.
In 1841, soldier's widow, Lydia, was aged seventy years and living in Williamson County, Illinois, where she had resided "upwards of twenty years."
In 1841, one Frederick F. Duncan was a county commissioner of Williamson County, Illinois, with post office at Marion in that county, his relationship to the family not shown.
In 1854, one Thomas J. Duncan, one of soldier's heirs, was living in Williamson County, Illinois, his exact relationship to the soldier not stated.
Reference was made to soldier's brother and sister but their names and places of residence were not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

April 8, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. B. J. Walter American Legion, Wabash Post #423 Mount Carmel, Illinois
JOHN DUNCAN R. 3126 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Duncan who served from Virginia and later settled in Illinois where he died.
You are furnished herein the record of the only soldier named John Duncan found in the Revolutionary War records of this office who served in that war from Virginia and later lived in Illinois. The data therein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim R. 3126, based upon service in the Revolution of John Duncan.
John Duncan was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, about 1763; the names of his parents are not shown. His father moved in 1771 or 1772 to Washington County, on the frontier of Virginia, where his residence was called Duncan's Fort, and was killed by the Indians about twelve months after moving to that place. His mother married again and moved to Kentucky sometime in the year 1780, the name of her second husband not given.
John Duncan enlisted in 1779, place not stated, and served at various times as private, spy and guard, until many years after the Revolutionary War, probably one year in all; he served under Captain Price and Colonel Barnett in General Clark's expedition to Post Vincent (later called Vincennes), and under Captains John Rains, Benjamin McIntosh and Colonel Robert Hays, in expeditions on the Red River in Tennessee, near Palmyra on the Cumberland River, also, many other short tours in the Indian warfare.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed March 5, 1833, while a resident of Franklin County, Illinois. He died December 31, 1834, in that part of Franklin County, which was later Williamson County, Illinois.

John Duncan married March 10, 1786, in Robertson County, Tennessee, Lydia, whose maiden name was not given and who had not been previously married.
In 1841, soldier's widow, Lydia Duncan, was aged seventy years and residing in Williamson County, Illinois, where she had lived "upwards of twenty years."
In 1841, one Frederick F. Duncan was a county commissioner of Williamson County, Illinois, with post office at Marion in that county, his relationship to the family not shown.
In 1854, one Thomas J. Duncan, one of soldier's heirs, was living in Williamson County, Illinois, his exact relationship to the soldier not stated.
Reference was made to soldier's brother and sister but their names and places of residence were not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

December 9, 1936.
BA-J/ILL
B. J. Walter Department of Military Records and Graves Registration Mount Carmel, Illinois.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Duncan who served from Virginia, moved after the war to Kentucky, thence to Clinton County, Illinois, where he died in 1842.
The record of John Duncan, R. 3126, which was furnished you April 6, 1936, is that of the only soldier with that name who received pension while residing in Illinois. He was pensioned in Franklin County, Illinois, for service in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

September 27, 1938
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Mr. Joseph G. Duncan Michigan State College East Lansing, Michigan
JOHN DUNCAN R. 3126 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter of recent date, in which you requested the records of Captain John Duncan, Senior, and of John Duncan, Junior, who served in the Revolutionary War from Virginia. You state that John Duncan, Junior, was granted land in November, 1817, in Indiana, and that his land patent was numbered 4359.
The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension or bounty land found for a John Duncan identical with your descriptions. The record has been found of a John Duncan of Virginia which follows as found in pension claim, R. 3126, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. It is hoped that this record will prove of interest to you in your research. The land which you state John Duncan received for his service may have been granted by the state from which he served as your citations do not pertain to United States grants.
John Duncan was born about 1763 in Culpeper County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. His father moved in 1771 or 1772 to Washington County, on the frontier of Virginia, where his residence was called Duncan's Fort, and was killed by the Indians about twelve months after moving to that place. His mother married again and moved to Kentucky sometime in the year 1780, the name of her second husband not given.
John Duncan enlisted in 1779, place not stated, and served at various times as private, spy and guard, until many years after the Revolutionary War, probably one year in all; he served under Captain Price and Colonel Barnett in General Clark's Expedition to Post Vincent (later called Vincennes), and under Captains John Rains, Benjamin McIntosh and Colonel Robert Hays, in expeditions on the Red River in Tennessee, near Palmyra on the Cumberland River, also many other short tours in the Indian warfare.

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed March 5, 1833, while a resident of Franklin County, Illinois. He died December 31, 1834, in that part of Franklin County which was later Williamson County, Illinois.
John Duncan married March 10, 1786, in Robertson County, Tennessee, Lydia ___, whose maiden name and date and place of birth were not given, nor names of her parents shown. She had not been previously married.
In 1841, soldier's widow, Lydia Duncan, was aged seventy years and residing in Williamson County, Illinois, where she had lived "upwards of twenty years".
In 1841, one Frederick F. Duncan was a county commissioner of Williamson County, Illinois, with post office at Marion in that county; his relationship to soldier's family not shown.
In 1854, one Thomas J. Duncan, one of soldier's heirs, was living in Williamson County, Illinois, his exact relationship to John Duncan, the soldier, not stated.
Reference was made to John Duncan's brother and sister, but their names and places of residence were not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator